Who I Am
Hi, I’m Tim, the writer and photographer behind McRobswell. I’m a husband, father, advocate, and storyteller grounded in love, culture, and connection.
I’m married to Melanie, a brilliant and beautiful Native woman who recently earned her Master’s in Nursing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. This fall, she begins her Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Her journey inspires mine, and we walk side by side as parents, professionals, and partners in purpose.
Together, we raise eight amazing kids in our beautifully blended family. For me I have one stepchild, two biological children, three in our legal custody, and two we’ve adopted. Though each child’s path to our home is different, they are all fully ours. They’re loved equally, deeply, and without condition. That’s where the name McRobswell comes from, it is a blend of all of our children’s names, creating something whole, new, and completely us.
The Heart of McRobswell
I created McRobswell as a space to reflect, advocate, and honor the chapters of my life. It’s a personal journal, a place for storytelling, and a home for the moments that shape me through fatherhood, family, faith, and photography. This site allows me to hold space for truth, connection, and legacy.
Every post is a piece of my story can sometimes raw, sometimes joyful, always real.
Photography + Reconnection
Photography used to be my creative outlet that until foster care and parenting filled every moment of my day. In those years, I laid it down, focusing on showing up for our family in the ways they needed most.
Now, I’m slowly finding my way back to it. I shoot on a Fuji X-T2 and love capturing wildlife, night skies, and long exposures. Photography isn’t just a hobby, it’s also a way of returning to myself, one frame at a time.
Books & Authors I Love
Reading is how I find time for myself. It’s how I step away from the noise of life and enter a world where I get to see the story unfold in my own imagination. It is where I can have the characters look and sound how the author intended, but still come alive uniquely in my mind.
Books transport me. They entertain, challenge, and comfort. And they give me space to breathe.
Some of my favorites are rooted in Minnesota—authors who feel close to home both in voice and vision:
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Favorite series:
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Cork O’Connor series by William Kent Krueger
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Cash Blackbear series by Marcie R. Rendon
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Favorite authors:
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William Kent Krueger – Thoughtful, layered stories with deep roots in Minnesota
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Marcie R. Rendon – A powerful Native voice whose writing always sticks with me
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Anton Treuer – Ojibwe teacher, author, and advocate who beautifully preserves and shares culture
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Health, Healing & New Adventures
We’ve started walking regularly, and I’m hoping to get more into hiking, too. It’s a way to move, connect, and clear our minds together.
I’ve always loved biking, but years ago I spent nearly 20 weeks with my leg in a demobilizer brace. Since then, my knee hasn’t handled long rides well. To keep moving without pain, I invested in an e-bike—which has been a game changer. It allows me to go on longer rides, keep steady pressure on my legs, and still feel the wind and rhythm I’ve always loved.
This winter, Melanie and I bought a small camper—something we’d dreamed about for years. So far, we’ve mostly camped in the driveway, but we’re looking forward to taking it on the road. Whether it’s local trails or long-distance road trips, we’re excited to make new memories and explore together.